Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 3 Series Touring estate - MPG, running costs & CO2

Popular diesel models can return over 50mpg and the plug-in hybrid is even better

Carbuyer Rating

4.4 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
MPG, running costs & CO2 Rating

4.5 out of 5

Customers are well catered for because the 3 Series Touring is available with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains to suit your lifestyle, preferences and budget. For those travelling shorter distances, or prioritising driving dynamics, petrols should fit the bill. High-mileage drivers are still likely to favour diesel but the 330e plug-in hybrid could also be a great option for them, particularly if they're company-car drivers thanks to its low BiK rating.

BMW 3 Series Touring MPG & CO2

The entry-level BMW 318d Touring and the best-selling 320d are the most efficient of the diesel line-up, managing up to 58.9mpg. Both are also affordable choices for private and business drivers alike, thanks to new mild-hybrid technology that gets CO2 emissions as low as 126g/km. Upgrading to four-wheel drive, a more lavish spec or the sportier 330d and M40d will, as you’d expect, impact fuel economy and make things more expensive for company car drivers.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The petrol 320i and 330i both use the same engine but with different power outputs, and have broadly similar economy figures; both should be able to achieve over 40mpg during normal driving, which should be fine for drivers that don’t regularly travel long distances.

A plug-in hybrid BMW 330e Touring is available for the first time in rear or four-wheel drive, promising an electric range of between 34 and 37 miles and economy of 156.9-201.8mpg. CO2 emissions range from 32-42g/km, making it the cheapest version for company-car tax (Benefit-in-Kind), and exempt from low-emission zones such as the expanded London ULEZ zone.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Regular diesel and petrol versions incur the regular VED (road tax) rate, with the 330e plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid engines taxed at the discounted rate. Every 3 Series Touring (other than base-spec 320i Sport) costs more than £40,000 and therefore incurs the additional annual surcharge in the first five renewal years.

Insurance groups

The cheapest insurance premiums in the BMW 3 Series Touring range belong to the 320d as it occupies groups 28-32, depending on which trim and options you pick. The more-powerful 330d is, as you’d expect, more expensive to insure, sitting in groups 38 and 39. Most petrols sit in 29-33, except the range-topping M340i xDrive which sits in group 38. The plug-in hybrid 330e ranges from groups 31-33.

Warranty

Every new BMW comes with a three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty, with three years of roadside assistance thrown in. It's slightly more generous than Audi's policy and matches that of Mercedes. For an extra outlay, the warranty can also be extended on an annual basis.

Servicing

The BMW 3 Series is fitted with a number of sensors that can determine when a service is required, depending on how the car is driven. This means service intervals can vary, but are usually no longer than two years or 20,000 miles apart.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best?

Cheapest

  • Name
    320i Sport 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £42,430

Most Economical

  • Name
    330e 22.3 kWh Sport 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £48,785

Fastest

  • Name
    M340i xDrive MHT 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £62,225

Andy is Carbuyer's managing editor, with more than a decade of experience helping consumers find their perfect car. He has an MA in automotive journalism and has tested hundreds of vehicles.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best estate cars – the top 10 to buy in 2024
Best estate cars 2024
Best cars
14 Aug 2024

Best estate cars – the top 10 to buy in 2024

Top 10 best hybrid estate cars 2024
Best hybrid estate cars
Best cars
15 Feb 2024

Top 10 best hybrid estate cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

Have You Considered

Peugeot 308 SW review – even more versatile as an estate
Peugeot 308 SW - front 1
In-depth reviews
14 Oct 2024

Peugeot 308 SW review – even more versatile as an estate

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car
Skoda Superb Estate front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
30 Aug 2024

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car

Most Popular

It’s official – the Dacia Duster is the Carbuyer Car of the Year 2025!
Carbuyer Car of the Year – Dacia Duster
News
23 Oct 2024

It’s official – the Dacia Duster is the Carbuyer Car of the Year 2025!

The best cheap fun cars from under £5k to over £10k
Best cheap fun cars
Best cars
25 Oct 2024

The best cheap fun cars from under £5k to over £10k

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
25 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024